Canes' Lose 4-3 to Seattle...Brandon Visits Tonight

Happy Halloween!

It was certainly not the start the Hurricanes were hoping for. After allowing a goal just 20 seconds into the first period, starting goaltender Linden Rowat pulled himself from the game and left the ice limping. He was helped to the Canes' dressing room and did not return. Rowat was replaced by Brandon Anderson, who was the back-up, sitting in for Ville Kolppanen who has missed the Hurricanes passed two games because of a concussion. It was Anderson's first action in the WHL this season. Rowat was being evaluated by a doctor, but his status isn't known. Early indication though is that his injury isn't too bad.

Seattle took a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes and then in the second, the T-Birds scored twice on the power play, going up 4-1. The Hurricanes didn't seem to have the jump I thought they would early on last night, especially against a Thunderbirds team missing 6 regular players with the flu. Seattle really played a good road game. Give them credit for that. The Hurricanes had some bad breaks too. The Canes' hit three goal posts in the 2nd period alone which really didn't help their cause last night and the two power play goals by the Thunderbirds in the 2nd were good bounces around net. Those are the breaks. Carter Bancks, Craig Orfino, and Mitch Maxwell scored for Lethbridge. Luca Sbisa played fairly well in his debut back with the Canes'. He played in pretty much every situation.

Tonight the Canes' will host the Brandon Wheat Kings in a Halloween night match-up at the Enmax Centre. Lethbridge beat the Wheaties 2-1 a few weeks ago in Brandon. The Wheat Kings come into town after being on the road for the past 13 days. The Wheaties dropped a 2-1 decision last night to the Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook. Game time is 7 o'clock. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. The Hurricanes are giving away prizes for both adults and kids dressed up in Halloween costumes.

Sbisa Speaks With Lethbridge Media

The Lethbridge sports media met with Luca Sbisa at the game day skate. Sbisa was asked about being back in the WHL. "I really have mixed feelings. My goal was this year to play in the NHL full-time, so I'm obviously really, really disappointed I didn't reach my goal, but on the other hand it's good to come back to junior. It's a really good league." Sbisa was also asked about rumours that his agent wanted a trade to a different WHL team before he arrived in Lethbridge. Sbisa really didn't say much about that. He did respond with this: "There's nothing I can do. I can't force the coach to still let me play in the NHL for this year so, I accept what happened and now I have to take the next step and that is being here in Lethbridge and help out the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Thanks,

Pat

Tara-Jean to Drop Puck Tonight..Sbisa Set To Go

Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes will look forward to some big returns this weekend, none bigger then the return of NHL Defenseman Luca Sbisa who was reassigned to the team from Anaheim this past week. In 80 WHL regular season games with the Canes he scored 48 points (10G, 38A) and had a +15 plus/minus rating and 82 PIMs. He also proved himself as a playoff performer In 30 WHL Playoff games he scored 18 points (5G, 13A) a +8 plus/minus and 29 PIMs, leading all WHL d-men in scoring in the 08 playoffs. He was one of two CHL Import Draft picks the Hurricanes made in 2007, the first was Finnish goaltender Juha Metsola. Sbisa went from being relatively unknown to being ranked in the Top 20 of North American Players by Central Scouting for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Sbisa has also represented his home country of Switzerland in the 2008 IIHF U-20 World Junior Hockey Championships and was a member of Team Red at the 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. He was the recipient of the 2007-2008 Carl Trentini Memorial Award for the Hurricanes rookie of the year and was selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Sbisa signed an entry level NHL contract that fall and began the season as a member of the Flyers where he played 39 NHL games before being returned to the Canes in early February and joining the Ducks during this past off season.

Seattle becomes the second of the five U.S. Division teams to visit the ENMAX Centre tonight. The T-Birds were victorious in these team’s only meeting of the 08-09 season with a 7-4 win from the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington. Seattle will be led by goaltending standout Calvin Pickard, (The younger brother of Chet Pickard) who posted a 23-16-1-4 record with three shutouts last season as a rookie. The last time these teams met at the ENMAX Centre was in November of ’07 as the Canes dealt the T-Birds a 3-2 loss, outshooting Seattle 39-18 as another Seattle goaltender, Riku Helenius had 36 saves in the loss to fellow countryman Juha Metsola.

This game will also highlight another very special return as Southern Alberta’s own Tara Jean Popowich, the champion of “So you think you can dance Canada” will be in attendance and dropping the puck for the ceremonial face off!

On Saturday, The ghosts, goblins and ghouls will be out in full force as the Canes look to do away with the 2010 Memorial Cup Host Brandon Wheat Kings. The Wheaties are gearing up for the Memorial Cup and will return a solid and experienced lineup this season. Don’t miss what could be a preview of the team to beat this year in the Eastern Conference! There will be great prizes for both adults and kids in costume and all youngsters 12 and under in costume will receive free Halloween Treats!

Courtesy of Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Communications Director

Canes' Host Seattle Tonight

It's been a pretty interesting week for the Lethbridge Hurricanes more so off the ice than on it.

Just before the team's big 5-4 come-from-behind win against Moose Jaw Sunday, the Hurricanes got some very good and unexpected news. Defenceman Luca Sbisa, who no one would've bet money on coming back to the WHL this season was reassigned by the NHL's Anaheim Ducks. Because Sbisa is only 19, he can not be recalled by the Ducks this season, meaning he can only play in junior. Luca's return to Lethbridge though wasn't simply cut and dry. There was talk this week that his agent wanted to explore other possibilities in the Western Hockey League. Perhaps his agent took a look at the Hurricanes current record and figured Sbisa would be better suited to play junior with another club. Canes' Head Coach/GM Rich Preston made it very clear this week that he wants Sbisa on the Hurricanes and that with Luca in the line-up the Hurricanes are a much better team. Obviously something was worked out in the past couple of days because Sbisa arrived in Lethbridge last night and ready for tonight's game against Seattle at the Enmax Centre.

Some people ask, well what can one player do to turn around the Canes' fortunes? Sure, hockey is a team game, but a player of Luca's calibre I think can bring a lot to a team that's been steadily improving for the past 3 or 4 weeks. Sbisa will lug a tonne of ice time, taking pressure of the rest of Lethbridge's defensive corps. He'll play in pretty much every situation and be a key on the power play. Will Sbisa be the end all and be all for the Hurricanes? I don't think so, but he will certainly make a difference. One thing is for sure though, he will most likely garner a lot of attention in the WHL the rest of this season, no matter what rink he plays in.

Tonight, the Hurricanes host Seattle. The Thunderbirds are a team in a rebuilding mode. They've had a few bumps in the road so far this season, but that doesn't mean this is going to be an easy game for Lethbridge. Perhaps the Canes' will use the addition of Sbisa as a motivating factor tonight. I would expect the Hurricanes will have some good jump in this one. It should be a fun one to watch.

Game time is 7:00. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. Tomorrow the Hurricanes will host Brandon in a Halloween night match-up.

Thanks,
Pat

Ashton to Play in Super Series

From the Canes' Office: (Ryan Ohashi)

Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes are very proud to congratulate forward Carter Ashton on his invitation to represent Team WHL at the 2009 Subway Super Series. Ashton will play in Game 6; the final game of the Super Series in the home of the 2009 WHL Champion Kelowna Rockets. The Canadian Hockey League in association with SUBWAY® and the three regional leagues the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League will take on the Russian Selects team in a six game series for the 2009 SUBWAY® Super Series.

All three regional league teams will be led by members of Team Canada’s National Junior Team coaching staff including Head Coach Willie Desjardins who will serve as the Head Coach for Team WHL. Team Canada Associate Coach Dave Cameron and Assistant Coach Steve Spott will lead Team OHL behind the bench, with Assistant Coach André Tourigny serving as Head Coach for Team QMJHL.

This will be Ashton’s first opportunity to play for Team WHL and the first time in four seasons that the Hurricanes will have only one representative at the event. Last season, Zach Boychuk and Colton Sceviour received invites for the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge in Swift Current and Prince Albert. For Sceviour it will be his 1st selection while Boychuk represented Team WHL for the third straight season.

Ashton signed an NHL Entry level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning this fall after attending his first pro camp. In the summer, the 6'3" 210 pound skill power forward became the Hurricanes third first round NHL Draft pick in the last two years when he was selected by Tampa Bay (29th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. This marked the first time in club history that the Canes had a player chosen in the first round of the NHL draft in back to back seasons. Ashton led all Hurricanes with 30 goals and 10 power play goals last season. He was the recipient of the Hurricanes Top Draft Prospect Award, the Hurricanes Three Stars Award and co-winner of the Hurricanes Community Relations Award.Last year, CHL teams defeated Team Russia in five of the six games in the series before Team Canada captured their fifth straight Gold Medal at the World Junior Championships.

It's Official: Sbisa Back to Lethbridge

I just received this from Hurricanes Communications Director Ryan Ohashi. Luca will be meeting with media Friday and will be in the line-up when the Canes' host Seattle:

Lethbridge, AB – Coming off a big come from behind win Sunday over the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Lethbridge Hurricanes will be adding some serious firepower to their back end as defenseman Luca Sbisa will be returning to the club. Sbisa was reassigned to the Canes this past week by the Anaheim Ducks and has now played a total of 47 NHL games and made his NHL playoff debut last season with the Flyers before being dealt to the Ducks along with Joffrey Lupul in the Chris Pronger trade.

During his career in Lethbridge Sbisa was a force on the blue line. In 80 regular season games he scored 48 points (10G, 38A) and had a +15 plus/minus rating and 82 PIMs. He also proved himself as a playoff performer In 30 WHL Playoff games he scored 18 points (5G, 13A) a +8 plus/minus and 29 PIMs, leading all WHL d-men in scoring in the 08 playoffs. He was one of two CHL Import Draft picks the Hurricanes made in 2007, the first was Finnish goaltender Juha Metsola. Sbisa went from being relatively unknown to being ranked in the Top 20 of North American Players by Central Scouting for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Sbisa has also represented his home country of Switzerland in the 2008 IIHF U-20 World Junior Hockey Championships and was a member of Team Red at the 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. He was the recipient of the 2007-2008 Carl Trentini Memorial Award for the Hurricanes rookie of the year and was selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Sbisa signed an entry level NHL contract that fall and began the season as a member of the Flyers where he played 39 NHL games before being returned to the Canes in early February and joining the Ducks during this past off season.

Sbisa will be returning to Lethbridge tomorrow night and is expected to suit up for the Canes Friday night matchup with the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Thanks,
Pat

More on Sbisa Saga

From Gregg Drinnan's Blog this morning:

A source in Lethbridge says that D Luca Sbisa, 19, having been told by the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks that he was being returned to the WHL, was all set to rejoin the Lethbridge Hurricanes and had, in fact, already contacted his former billet. But that was before Andre Rufner, Sbisa’s agent, became involved and now is believed to be trying to arrange a trade between the Hurricanes and a Western Conference team. . . . The wildcard in all of this, however, may be that Rich Preston, Lethbridge’s GM/head coach, and Anaheim GM Bob Murray are long-time friends. . . . You have to think Sbisa could do a lot worse than go back to Lethbridge, play 30 minutes a game and get his game back in gear. After all, the Ducks are concerned about his development and nothing helps that like lots of ice time and playing in all situations. . . . You can bet that Western Conference general managers are paying close attention. As Vancouver GM Scott Bonner told Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province: “If he was available, I’m sure every team in the league would inquire, but I know I haven’t got a call about him and I know that Rich Preston is pretty excited about getting him back. If it was us, we would keep the player. We would tell the player to come back and play for us and I think Rich will take the same stance.”----Gregg Drinnan

Sbisa Update

Hurricanes Head Coach/GM Rich Preston was on Hurricanes This Week last night and gave us an update on Luca Sbisa.

He told us he'd like to see Sbisa with the team at some point in the next few days, but noted Luca's agent has said he'd like his client to explore other options in the WHL instead of coming back to Lethbridge. Preston indicated that he wants Sbisa with the Canes' and really has no interest in dealing him at the moment if he doesn't have to. The next few days though should be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out. Preston wants this situation sorted out quickly. I'm sure there are several teams in the league that have inquired about the defenceman, but why should the Canes' deal him away now? Preston said on the program that with Sbisa in the line-up, that instantly makes his Hurricanes a better team. I certainly agree. I understand the agent wanting Sbisa to play for a top team in the WHL, but why not give it some time? Wouldn't it be in the best interest of the player to play some games with the Hurricanes for a few weeks and then see what happens? To me, it sounds like Lethbridge is being forced to deal Sbisa now to another team without giving him a chance to see if things will work out with the Canes'. Preston I'm sure will do what he sees is best for the team now and in the future and you can bet he won't be making any hasty decisions.

Gregg Drinnan from the Kamloops Daily News was on the show last night too. Fred and I asked him about the coaching situation there now that the Blazers have fired Barry Smith. He indicated that former Hurricanes Coach Michael Dyck has been in contact with the Kamloops organization. Should be an interesting situation to watch there as well. We asked Drinnan's thoughts regarding Luca Sbisa. He too feels Lethbridge is the best place for Sbisa, but hey what do we know, we're only media guys right!

You can listen to last night's edition of the talk show on our website: http://www.cjocfm.com/. The show should be ready in our podcast section by noon today.

Thanks,
Pat

Canes' Come back to Beat Warriors

Three straight goals in the third period pushed the Lethbridge Hurricanes to a big 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors last night at the Enmax Centre.

Things were looking a little bleak as the Canes' were down 4-3 after 40 minutes, especially after battling back twice to tie the game. They somehow manage to retool, rally in the final 20 and get the two points. The Canes' were down 1-0 after one, but Linden Rowat was great in goal in the first to keep it a one goal contest. The Warriors had numerous chances in the first and had it not been for Rowat, Moose Jaw could've easily been up 3 or 4 nothing.

The game changed in the second period. The Canes' had just tied things at two on a power play goal by Carter Ashton and shortly after, Lethbridge went back on the man advantage, but a bad give-away by Cam Braes in his own zone cost the team a short-handed goal against. The Warriors would score one more not too long after to take a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes. The Hurricanes have now given up 5 short-handed goals this season. That ties them with Red Deer for the most shorties against. Those are the little things that I've been talking about lately that the Hurricanes need to pay closer attention too.

In the third though, the Hurricanes made some big adjustments and came out flying, scoring 3 unanswered goals, erasing a two goal deficit and winning 5-4. They also put an end to a 3 game losing skid. A great third period comeback by Lethbridge and a huge two points. For the first time this year, the Canes' are out of the basement in the Eastern Conference.

On this night, the Hurricanes leaders were truly their leaders. Captain Carter Bancks was the game's first star, scored once, and was maybe the best player on the ice for either team. He had a pretty good supporting cast too. Carter Ashton scored twice. Austin Fyten and Mitch Maxwell got the others. This is the way this team is going to have to play to be successful. It was simply a great effort. They outplayed the Warriors in the third to win it and being outplayed for half the game before.

Sbisa Coming Back

Big news for the Hurricanes before last night's game even started. Defenceman Luca Sbisa was reassigned by the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, meaning he'll be returning to Lethbridge and his junior team. This is fantastic news for the Canes.' I know a lot of people were a bit skeptical when the team chose to select only one Euro in the import draft this past spring and held on to Sbisa's rights. Most fans thought there wouldn't be a chance he'd ever be coming back to the Hurricanes, me included. I guess the message here is simple. Hold on to your assets, because you just never know what will happen. With this, the Hurricanes will have three Euros on their roster: Sbisa, Valchar, and Kolppanen. One of those players will have to be let go since each WHL team is allowed no more than 2 imports on the roster at one time. Valchar was scratched for the Canes' last night.

Hurricanes This Week

Fred and I will be back on the air tonight at 6 o'clock with the latest edition of Hurricanes This Week, our weekly Canes' Talk Show. On the program tonight we are back in studio after taking the show on the road to the Shark Club last week. We'll be there again live on-location next Monday, November 2nd, but this evening Head Coach/GM Rich Preston will be on with us off the top. I'm sure we'll talk a lot about the whole Sbisa thing. We'll also talk with Gregg Drinnan from the Kamloops Daily News and in the last segment of the show, we'll got to Medicine Hat and speak with the long-time radio voice of the Tigers, Bob Ridley. Any comments or questions can be emailed to hurricanes@pttwireless.ca.

Thanks,
Pat

Luca Sbisa Reassigned by NHL's Ducks

From the Ducks Website:

The Ducks announced today that 19-year-old defenseman Luca Sbisa will be reassigned for the duration of the season, most likely to a junior team. Sbisa, acquired by the Ducks with Joffrey Lupul in an offseason trade that involved sending Chris Pronger to Philadelphia, had played every game this season for Anaheim before being scratched for last night's 6-4 loss to Columbus. He had no points in those eight games while averaging just over 12 minutes of ice time.

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle commented on the decision to reassign Sbisa following practice Sunday afternoon: "A lot of it has to do with the way we’re playing right now. We think that he’s come in and played fairly well, but in the situation we’re in right now, we think it could be a detriment to have him in the pressure situation that we’re in. I know it’s a difficult decision for a player to take -- he’s going from the NHL to possibly having to play back in junior hockey -- but we want him to play in the league for 15 years, not for 5 years. If we can do anything to alleviate the pressure of this year, have him play in major junior hockey and continue his development, I think the next step will be a lot easier. He has some assets that are highly sought after, but he’s still only 19 years old. We’ve discussed it for the better part of two weeks. We felt if we couldn’t continually keep him with 10 to 12 minutes of ice time a night, it wouldn’t be beneficial. And the way our team is playing, we felt he wouldn’t garner those minutes in the next while. We made a decision based upon what’s best for the player in the long term."

The Ducks have yet to announce exactly where Sbisa will be reassigned.

Well, I 'd have to say this is excellent news for the Hurricanes! I do know that Sbisa is indeed returning to Lethbridge. I chated breifly with Head Coach/GM Rich Preston tonight and he indicated Luca is returning to the Hurricanes. I expect him to be in Lethbridge in the next couple of days. Preston wouldn't say anything more to me when I tried talking to him about it this evening. All Preston did was look at me and smile. I think that says it all!

Thanks,
Pat

The Lethbridge Hurricanes should be a fairly rested group as the get set tonight to play their only game of the weekend as they host the high flying Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Canes' have lost 3 games in a row, the most recent defeat was a tough 4-3 overtime loss Wednesday night to the visiting Portland Winterhawks. It was the first game of an 8 game home stand for Lethbridge. The Canes' had a good few days of practice as they try to slowly turn things around. Yesterday, the team spent the afternoon at Bridge City Chrysler playing street hockey with kids and signing autographs. It was a wet and snowy kind of start to the afternoon, but it turned out to be a great day. Thanks to all those who came down. Here are a few pictures:
























The last game against the Hawks I thought the Hurricanes played pretty well, they just couldn't find the equalizer. They maybe deserved a better fate, but it's pretty clear this group is going to have to work for everything they get this season. Nothing is going to come easy. I also think the Canes' are going to need a little more from everyone. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Overage forward Radim Valchar must pick up his game offensively. He's been missing in action the past few games.

Lethbridge also needs to try and eliminate the small mistakes, like the untimely penalties that cost them the last game and the one against Saskatoon a few weeks ago. Paying attention to detail is is going to be very important for this Hurricanes group.

Game time tonight against the Warriors is 6pm (MT) from the Enmax Centre. The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30.

Have a great Sunday!

Thanks,